Species: Equine

Mineral Details

Equine Feed Nutrition MineralsThe health and performance of your horse demands a solid nutrition program. Horses require a different level of nutrition based on their age, activity levels and other factors. Trace minerals including zinc, copper, manganese and cobalt are essential for horse health, growth and performance.

Best of Show in Equine Nutrition

At Zinpro, our area of expertise is trace mineral nutrition, and we did much of the pioneering research on trace minerals for the livestock industry. This research proves that it isn’t enough to simply add ordinary trace minerals to a horse’s diet, as they often pass through without ever being absorbed by the animal. Zinpro Performance Minerals® are designed for optimum absorption, providing the highest trace mineral absorption in the industry.

Trace Mineral Functions

The trace minerals zinc, copper, manganese and cobalt have been proven to positively affect many vital functions in horses. Some of these functions include:

Hoof Condition
Zinc Cell division to support hoof wall growth and repair
Hoof wall protein synthesis: collagen, keratins, cell envelope proteins and intercellular cementing substance
Copper Synthesis and maintenance of elastic connective tissue
Cross-linkage formation in collagen and elastin
Bond formation in hoof wall proteins for rigidity
Manganese
 Antioxidant activity to protect cell membrane

Reproduction
Zinc Reproductive tract tissue integrity
Conception rates
Sperm maturation and quality
Copper Early embryonic survivals
Estrus and conception rate
Central nervous system development in offspring
Manganese
 Reproductive hormone synthesis
Male libido
Fetal skeletal development

Joints and Skeleton
Zinc Cell division and protein synthesis for skeletal growth and repair
Copper Formation of connective tissue (tendons and ligaments), bones and cartilage lining joints
Manganese
 Chondroitin sulfate synthesis which is important for formation, maintenance and repair of joint cartilage
Bone matrix development and maintenance

Skin and Coat
Zinc and manganese Epidermal (skin) cell maintenance through cell division, protein synthesis and antioxidant activity to remove superoxide radicals
Facilitates wound healing
Copper Normal production and maintenance of skin and hair pigmentation

Immunity
Zinc, copper and manganese Humoral immune system: builds antibodies in response to vaccination
Cell-mediated immunity
Non-specific immunity
Antioxidant activity to remove free radicals and protect cell membranes

Feed Digestibility
Cobalt
 Cecal fiber digestion by bacteria resulting in increased energy availability from forage
Vitamin B12 synthesis